Israel-Acre episode 10

Today optional tour was to Acre or Akko (same place and pronunciation) & the Rosh HaNikra grotto caves. We spent time underground, in markets, on the ancient walls, in a cable car, in caves, tunnels, and a grotto. Just about everywhere. Acre represents s tumultuous history more so than any other city in this country. It's history can be dated back to 3000 BC. It was a vibrant port city in its glory. Today is an UNESCO World Heritage site. The knights halls of the Hospitaller and dungeons are a fascinating multimedia museum. Snaked our way through the underground tunnels used by the Templars and visited their Turkish Bath house. In the Ottoman times, this was the social place to be. You know, the place to see and be seen. Strolled through the Turkish Market. Purchased some spices to bring home. Yum! Brenda will for sure like the curry... 😜. Then had to don head coverings to visit the Al-Jazzar Mosque. All very interesting. The major occupants in this city over time began in the Bronze age to Canaanite 1550 BCE, Crusaders 1104, Mamluks 1291 and then Israel 1948. Lots happened in between, like Romans and Arabs. These were the primary occupants. Be sure to look up who the Mamluks were - stolen Christian children raised Muslim and used as slaves & soldiers. That is until they took control. The designers of the museum have done an absolutely impressive job with the multimedia used to inform and give you the feeling of what it was like in its many heydays. Sites, sounds, smells, videos, games, artist shops and much more. We were treated to lunch on the shore of the Mediterranean in a restaurant on the city's wall. Very cool. If that was not enough for the day, off we went north to the very edge of the north west boarder of Israel. We were literally feet from Lebanon. A cable car took us down the cliff to our delight of walking through a series of connected grottos. Beautiful. Dinner in our own — another adventure. Down the street to a local food vender to have falafel in a pita. YUM. Tahini sauce on top, mighty tasty. Of course, a local brew complimented our meal. It is a bit different to be able to walk the streets with an open bottle... every day is an adventure. Tomorrow, off to Golan Heights and staying in a kibbutz for 2 days....adventure!